Feature: Citroën C-Elysee 1.6 VTi 115 Exclusive

If not from old ones, then at least from existing proven parts, which, of course, are also cheaper than the pearls of modern automotive technology (or at least decently modern parts). If the choice is successful and combined with thoughtful design and thoughtful design, which allows you to get the cheapest, but at the same time not too low workmanship. In addition, for example, it is necessary to take into account the specific requirements of such markets - in some, for example, limousines are particularly popular. And usually (but not always) manufacturers talk about such cars as world-class.

And the Citroën C-Elysee, like its lion brother, the Peugeot 301, also falls into that category. It is clear that it fulfills its main mission well - and we have no doubt that it will be well received in the markets for which it is primarily intended. After all, it is quite modern, but still in a classic design (which is why it has a sedan body with a classic trunk lid), so its belly is slightly higher than usual on our roads, the suspension is more comfortable, the body is bad roads, respectively reinforced, and all together it is also designed with the easiest and cheapest maintenance in mind.

All is well, and by those criteria the C-Elysee is a good car, but how does it perform against the criteria by which we otherwise rate cars? Certainly not as good as, say, the Citroën C4.

Let's start with the good points: The 1,6-liter engine with its 85 kilowatts or 115 horsepower is powerful enough to drive a good ton of heavy sedan without any problems, and is alive enough. At the same time (especially in the city) it is not the most economical, the average consumption in our test stopped a little more than eight liters per 100 km, but it is quite even in sound and vibration so that there are no complaints from the cabin. ... At idle speed, for example, it is almost inaudible. It is a pity that the accelerator pedal is too sensitive, so when starting off, the revs jump too quickly. Well, yes, this is better than turning off due to lack of sensitivity.

The five-speed manual transmission bears much of the blame for not-so-low fuel consumption. Namely, it is calculated rather briefly and at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour makes as many as three and a half thousand revolutions. The sixth gear calms the situation and significantly reduces consumption.

The cabin is spacious (with the exception of the headroom and the longitudinal movement of the driver's seat and the space around the pedals), which is to be expected from such a car. The reasonably long wheelbase means adults also sit comfortably in the front and rear. The seats do a satisfactory job and the driving feel could be very good if it weren't interfered with by the oversized steering wheel just cut off at the bottom. But why, if the Champs-Elysees is not an athlete?

The market for which the car is intended is also the reason that you can only open the trunk with a switch in the cockpit and on the remote, and that also explains the convenient chassis settings that mitigate all types of wheel shock. and on the biggest bumps, deceleration on the C-Elysee should not be feared as it will damage the belly of the vehicle. If you have a piece of rubble along the way, you don't need to be afraid of it with this machine.

Of course, this chassis also has a downside: severe understeer, swaying on the road that does not increase driver confidence. The C-Elysee is simply not for those who like to rush behind the wheel.

We also referred to some of the ergonomics features as a minus. Power window switches, for example, are located far away from the levers around the gear lever and do not automatically adjust even the driver's window. And although, on the one hand, we can say that the equipment is quite rich (including a rear parking system and a Bluetooth hands-free system), on the other hand, additional functions such as electronic control, or manual air conditioning (which means a lot of pressing the buttons of each times), all that remains is to smile. Loud, rattling windshield wipers (with no adjustable actuation interval) or hinge springs that force the door to swing back towards the driver create fewer smiles.

Trunk? Large, but not record large. Production? Good enough. Price? Really low. After 14 thousand, it will be difficult to get a limousine with a length of almost four and a half meters, and the price of the test C-Elysee turned out to be below this limit. In fact, you only need one extra charge: cruise control with speed limiter. Otherwise, everything is good enough, depending on what kind of car it really is.

So will the C-Elysee stand up to today's automotive standards? If you are able to come to terms with some (annoying) flaws, of course. Just don't expect too much from him.

Text: Dusan Lukic

Citroën C-Elysee 1.6 VTi 115 Exclusive

Basic data

Sales:	Citroën Slovenia
Base model price:	13.400 €
Test model cost:	14.130 €
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Power:	85kW (115 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	10,4 with
Maximum speed:	188 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	8,4l / 100km

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - front transverse - displacement 1.587 cm³ - maximum power 85 kW (115 hp) at 6.050 rpm - maximum torque 150 Nm at 4.000 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 195/55 / ​​R16 H (Michelin Alpin).
Capacity:	top speed 188 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 9,4 - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,8 / 5,3 / 6,5 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 151 g / km.
Transportation and suspension:	sedan - 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, three-spoke transverse rails, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, screw springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear drum - rolling circle 10,9, 50 m - fuel tank XNUMX l.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.165 kg - permissible gross weight 1.524 kg.
Box:	5 places: 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 2 suitcase (68,5 l)

Our measurements

T = -1 ° C / p = 1.011 mbar / rel. vl. = 72% / Mileage condition: 2.244 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	10,4s
402m from the city:	17,1 years ( 128 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	12,3s (IV.)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	19,1s (V.)
Maximum speed:	188km / h (V.)
Minimum consumption:	6,4l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	9,2l / 100km
test consumption:	8,4 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	44,5m
AM table:	41m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	54dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	64dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	60dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	65dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	64dB
Idling noise:	38dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (272/420)

• Simple enough, reliable enough, comfortable enough. Enough for those looking for such a car.

• Exterior (10/15)

  Considering the need to create a classic sedan for “different” markets, the designers did a good job.

• Interior (81/140)

  Sufficient longitudinal space, less at the elbows and around the head.

• Engine, transmission (48
  
  
  / 40)

  The short gearbox and lively engine are the reason for very acceptable acceleration, only on the track the engine speeds are quite high.

• Driving performance (49
  
  
  / 95)

  The comfortable chassis also results in a below-average dynamic driving position. You just can't have everything.

• Performance (22/35)

  This C-Elysee is fast enough so you won't be slow if you don't want to.

• Security (23/45)

  Neither active nor passive safety (unfortunately, but understandable) is not at the level of modern cars.

• Economy (39/50)

  When you look at the price list, it is much easier to forgive mistakes. And the equipment for this money is quite rich.

We praise and reproach

price

open space

powerful enough engine

wipers

window switches

chassis

consumption